The Indianapolis Colts organization was spun on its head recently when star quarterback Andrew Luck shockingly announced his retirement. The decision robbed Indy of its best player and dramatically reduced the team’s likelihood of making the playoffs in the current NFL odds. The Colts still have a good team with a lot of talented players, but the switch from Luck to Jacoby Brissett is a serious downgrade. It will be interesting to see if Indianapolis can withstand the huge loss and remain competitive in 2019, but clearly the road will be much tougher than expected.
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Colts odds to make the playoffs
Yes +240
No -300
Colts Playoff Odds Analysis
The Colts were the favorites to win the AFC South before Luck’s retirement, and now they have been downgraded behind the Texans and Jaguars. Indianapolis is still in the mix, and the overall odds for them to make the playoffs aren’t complete longshots. The Colts will aim to do well in the division because they have a schedule that has some pretty tough opponents on it.
Indianapolis begins the year against the Los Angeles Chargers, and also face non-divisional foes the Falcons, Raiders, Chiefs, Broncos, Steelers, Dolphins, Buccaneers, Saints and Panthers. They will face off against Jacksonville, Houston and the Tennessee Titans twice apiece.
Indianapolis Colts Odds
Luck was one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL throughout his tenure with the Colts, and the team was expected to be on the short list of contenders in the AFC in 2019. However, Luck decided that a litany of injuries affected him too much physically and mentally, and he chose to retire.
The reins will be handed over to Jacoby Brissett, who the team acquired a couple years ago from the Patriots. Brissett has starting experience and was one of the more talented backups in the NFL, but it remains to be seen if he can adequately take over as the fulltime starter. Brissett will have a standout wideout on the outside in T.Y. Hilton, while the offensive line showed vast improvement a season ago and should give him time to operate. Marlon Mack is expected to get the majority of the carries and will be an important piece to take the pressure off Brissett.
There will be more onus placed on the defense now with Luck no longer able to lead the team to shootout wins. The group took a big step forward a year ago and will need to continue on that trajectory. Darius Leonard is one of the best young linebackers in the NFL, while safety Malik Hooker leads a secondary that should be pretty good. The Colts signed edge rusher Justin Houston in free agency and took cornerback Rock Ya-Sin, linebacker Ben Banogu and wide receiver Parris Campbell in the second round, so they hope all of them can contribute. It will definitely be more of a group approach with Luck no longer leading the way.
Key Stats or Trends
The Colts have boasted a superstar quarterback on the roster dating all the way back to 1998, when they chose Peyton Manning with the No. 1 overall pick in the draft. Luck came aboard in 2012 and kept the success rolling. Now Indianapolis will have to make due without an ultra-talented quarterback leading the way.
The good news is that GM Chris Ballard has made some great moves and the Colts have talented team with enviable depth. Brissett needs to play up to his ability, but despite the loss of Luck, this team could still be in the mix in an AFC South that does not have a clear favorite.
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